That Little Broken Plastic Bit - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jamesinnewcastl · 2nd Nov 2009, 12:13 am

Hi

This isn't really a Vintage post but I've found this stuff a real boon for repairing/manufacturing those little broken plastic bits. I'm not associated with the makers in any way incidentally.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-...c--a-thermal-/

It's a plastic that melts in hot water - it can then be moulded like plastercine - when it cools to 62 degrees it hardens to a useful nylon that is hard wearing and can be tapped and drilled. When 'hot' it sticks to other hot plastic parts readily - better than any glue as the parts seem to polymerise together.

Not much cop in hot valve sets unless it is a cool spot.

You could repair those tuner fingers, dials, shaft couplers, kids toys, etc. with this stuff. Possibly better than scratting around for spares. You can also make nice component clamps, etc.

I've just made a clip rack for holding my BNC cables. The plastic is flexible if moulded thin enough. I just press the cable into the clip - then pull it out to release it!

Have Fun

James

wave solder · 2nd Nov 2009, 12:43 am

Rapid Electronics sell it (polymorph), it is very useful to keep in for energencies:-

http://www.rapidonline.com/Education...4/kw/Polymorph

jamesinnewcastl · 2nd Nov 2009, 12:51 am

Oh yes - made some nice bespoke coil former/bobbins with it too.

Was a lot like baking a pie, the stuff rollers flat and you can knife and cut it with scissors when 'hot'.

James

Paul LS · 2nd Nov 2009, 12:04 pm

I wonder if you could use this for moulding knobs? Create a mould and then fill the mould with this plastic. I am missing a black knob (the smooth type) from a black DAC90. I wonder if you can colour the plastic?

SeanStevens · 2nd Nov 2009, 4:19 pm

Nylon can be dyed - this may be the same

SEAN

jamesinnewcastl · 2nd Nov 2009, 10:56 pm

Yes you can dye it - seek out the MUTR.co.uk link for their description. They will try to sell you a quality 'food dye' but you can always try other dyes. You would have to work the colour in - in the same way that all plastercine colours eventually end up purple!

They warn against heating the stuff till it runs, as it gets very sticky at higher temperatures (Hot Melt) - it would be like naplam without the flames. If you touch it you wouldn't get it off your hands until too late.

My thoughts would be to make a splittable plaster mould, fill with the granules and gently heat in a microwave till they melt into place. But they are my thoughts only! I advise against anyone doing it (Health & Safety). But if I did I would ensure no water got it as that steams out and makes mould holes - and scary pops!

The stuff takes up mould detail very well.

James

2nd Nov 2009, 12:13 am	#1
jamesinnewcastl Heptode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 722	That Little Broken Plastic Bit Hi This isn't really a Vintage post but I've found this stuff a real boon for repairing/manufacturing those little broken plastic bits. I'm not associated with the makers in any way incidentally. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-...c--a-thermal-/ It's a plastic that melts in hot water - it can then be moulded like plastercine - when it cools to 62 degrees it hardens to a useful nylon that is hard wearing and can be tapped and drilled. When 'hot' it sticks to other hot plastic parts readily - better than any glue as the parts seem to polymerise together. Not much cop in hot valve sets unless it is a cool spot. You could repair those tuner fingers, dials, shaft couplers, kids toys, etc. with this stuff. Possibly better than scratting around for spares. You can also make nice component clamps, etc. I've just made a clip rack for holding my BNC cables. The plastic is flexible if moulded thin enough. I just press the cable into the clip - then pull it out to release it! Have Fun James

2nd Nov 2009, 12:43 am	#2
wave solder Hexode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 483	Re: That Little Broken Plastic Bit Rapid Electronics sell it (polymorph), it is very useful to keep in for energencies:- http://www.rapidonline.com/Education...4/kw/Polymorph

2nd Nov 2009, 12:51 am	#3
jamesinnewcastl Heptode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 722	Re: That Little Broken Plastic Bit Oh yes - made some nice bespoke coil former/bobbins with it too. Was a lot like baking a pie, the stuff rollers flat and you can knife and cut it with scissors when 'hot'. James

2nd Nov 2009, 12:04 pm	#4
Paul LS Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 196	Re: That Little Broken Plastic Bit I wonder if you could use this for moulding knobs? Create a mould and then fill the mould with this plastic. I am missing a black knob (the smooth type) from a black DAC90. I wonder if you can colour the plastic?

2nd Nov 2009, 4:19 pm	#5
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Re: That Little Broken Plastic Bit Nylon can be dyed - this may be the same SEAN __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't.

2nd Nov 2009, 10:56 pm	#6
jamesinnewcastl Heptode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 722	Re: That Little Broken Plastic Bit Yes you can dye it - seek out the MUTR.co.uk link for their description. They will try to sell you a quality 'food dye' but you can always try other dyes. You would have to work the colour in - in the same way that all plastercine colours eventually end up purple! They warn against heating the stuff till it runs, as it gets very sticky at higher temperatures (Hot Melt) - it would be like naplam without the flames. If you touch it you wouldn't get it off your hands until too late. My thoughts would be to make a splittable plaster mould, fill with the granules and gently heat in a microwave till they melt into place. But they are my thoughts only! I advise against anyone doing it (Health & Safety). But if I did I would ensure no water got it as that steams out and makes mould holes - and scary pops! The stuff takes up mould detail very well. James